# @hopewdm on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B8g8EVOgWsH
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16338723-hopewdm-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/ae88ff2f9c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-02-13T17:00:28.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** HOPE (@HopeWDM) — https://gondola.cc/HopeWDM

## Caption

I’ve told this story multiple times, but as I reflect on everything that transpired to lead me to come to Hope, I’m still in awe of all that God has done, is doing and will do. Let’s start at the beginning of this journey.⁣
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I got my call into ministry in 2011. I went to college in Kentucky and seminary in Tennessee, studying Youth Ministry in both schools. I ended up spending eight years in the south. As much as I enjoyed it down there creating a life for myself, I knew it was time to return to Iowa to live closer to my family.⁣ I tried to figure out what was next. Plan A didn’t work out and neither did Plan B. I decided to postpone the job search until I moved back to Iowa. Of course, God had other plans.⁣
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I had two weeks left in Tennessee; one week of work and one week of packing. At the beginning of my last week of work, I came across Hope Grimes’ job listing. I’d seen it months ago in my job search, but I had anxiety about it. This time around, I had peace about it, and I knew this was something I had to look into.⁣
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Long story short, I applied and went through a series of long-distance interviews. On Sunday, I moved back to Iowa. On Monday, I unloaded the moving truck. And on Tuesday, I was at Hope Grimes for what would be my final interview. I hadn’t been in Iowa for a full week before God blessed me with a job.⁣
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Throughout the whole process, I surrendered everything to God; I surrendered my plans, my desires, my anxieties and my doubts. Coming to Hope changed my life. I look back at it now and am reminded that God’s plans are always better than what we might have in mind.
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#PiecesFromHope⁣
⁣
Matt Barrick⁣
Hope Grimes Student Ministry Leader⁣

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- **Likes:** 190
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## Tags

piecesfromhope

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